Duo put Notts in charge

Darren Pattinson and Charlie Shreck gave Nottinghamshire the upper hand in their LV County Championship clash against Hampshire which helped them move a step closer to the Division One title.

The pair claimed six Hampshire wickets between them at Trent Bridge as the visitors finished on 199 for nine at stumps on the first day. Andre Adams gave the hosts the early initiative after he trapped Michael Lumb and Chris Benham lbw for single-figure scores.

Pattinson then took over and removed the wickets of Sean Ervine (18) and Liam Dawson for a duck before he captured the crucial wicket of Nic Pothas (44) to finish with three for 43.

Shreck ended the dogged response of Hampshire skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas (41) to add to the wickets of opener Michael Carberry (23) and Chris Tremlett for four as Nottinghamshire claimed maximum bowling points.

Nottinghamshire will have also been buoyed by events at Taunton after title rivals Somerset were bowled out for 202 by Lancashire.

Red Rose paceman Oliver Newby finished the pick of the Lancashire attack with four for 72 while Glen Chapple collected three for 33.

It could have been worse but for a rearguard action by Peter Trego (81) who rescued Somerset from 151 for eight after a ninth-wicket stand with Andy Caddick (24). Veteran seamer Caddick and Charl Willoughby then took two wickets apiece to restrict Lancashire to 56 for four at the close.

Yorkshire's hopes of avoiding relegation were hit by poor batting and the weather as they collapsed to 84 for six after only 38 overs were possible on day one of their match against Sussex at Hove.

Andrew Gale (31), Jacques Rudolph (23) and Gerard Brophy (12) were the only players to make double figures as Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Sami picked up three for 39.

England paceman Steve Harmison bowled aggressively to finish with four for 72 as Kent ended the day on 190 for nine at Canterbury. Kent skipper Robert Key (58) and Darren Stevens (41) were the only players to show any real resistance as Harmison and brother Ben (two for 34) dominated the day.